August 17, 2019
Summer in Canada, new directions in Taiwan
Sharon (Hsiu-man's health and immediate prayer request
I thank you for your prayers and your concern for my family over these many years. I am writing this letter to again request your prayers and share with you about what has been happening in my family. But before I start, I would like to request your prayers for my wife's health. Sharon has had a severe cough for the past 2 weeks. Earlier this week we went to the doctor and he prescribed penicillin for bronchitis. Sharon has now been taking this medicine for a few days what is not appear to be getting any better. I believe the lack of lymph nodes on the right side makes her more susceptible to sickness. Tomorrow my wife will be giving her testimony (I will be translating to English) at Park Royal Bible Chapel in Mississauga at 11:30 a.m. Sunday (Aug 18, tomorrow) Please lift up this Evangelistic meeting before our father that his Holy Spirit might use us in our weakness to bring glory to him and to see people come to know Jesus. On Tuesday we plan to return to Taiwan.
University Course: Books included in Bible and Western Civilization
Looking back on the past semester, it has been both exciting and challenging and disappointing. Firstly a praise item. We were able to deliver our first effort at a course at Yuan Ze University (taught in English) that seeks to explain the message of the books included in the Bible and how these books have influenced Western Culture and finally their applicability to today. For the class material, we used an excellent Chinese Bible study designed for 1:1 work that we helped translate to English this past semester. Unfortunately, the English level of the students made it 1) difficult for them to understand the flow of the arguments and 2) listen to English for a whole lecture. Please pray for us as we seek to adopt the course for the future so students can learn.
Small Group Studies
In terms of personal work, each Thursday we have been having a small group in our house that is associated with our church. Unfortunately there are only one or two regular attenders that are women. We need wisdom about whether to continue this group or not. Myself I'm excited to be able to have had 1:1 Bible studies with a Chinese student and a student from Tajikistan. Please pray for both these young men. The Chinese student has made a profession of faith well the other student he still looking. Please pray that these studies may continue.
Fear: New Research Direction on Dementia
As I head back to Taiwan, I feel fear. For the past few years I have not had any research funding from the national government. Starting August I have received research funding for 2 projects: one from the ministry a science and technology to start a project working with lighting and dementia; and the other from the Ministry of Education relating to the teaching of physics in a bilingual environment. Along with trying to adapt the course on Christianity I really feel the projects and the activities I'm trying to do are much too difficult for me to do. That's I need to rely a 100% on God for both the spiritual and the research aspects of my life. Especially the project dealing with Dementia -- this is in the area working with Physicians working with healthcare providers but I have no experience in it will be quite difficult for me as we need to do a lot of things in Chinese and in Taiwan in Chinese environment. Play salsa lift up this before our heavenly father.
In Canada, My Mother & Camp Cherith (my mother was involved many years ago.
We have enjoyed our time in Canada (exception of my wife's sickness). We brought for Taiwanese children to Camp Cherith in Walkerton. 3 of the 4 really enjoyed their time. Our children also enjoyed camp. . A highlight was the fact that both my wife and me were able to serve at Camp here at for 1 week -- my wife in the kitchen and myself as a boys divisional director. With regards to my mother, she is physically active and mobile.She seemed to recognize me most of the time off and calling me by John and sometimes even recognizing members of my family. It is much improved recognition from when we were last here.When I repeatedly when I asked who I was, she replied "Jonathon". She also showed concern for our children when we were walking along the road.
Link to Hamilton: God Opening doors?
FInally, I would like to share that it seems God is opening doors to research collaboration with McMaster in the area of lighting and dementia. I have had some great meetings with professors at the university and former professors who are desiring to move forward research and application into the healing of dementia.
A trip with Sharon (no kids) to celebrate her 50th Birthday
PS--We had a wonderful trip, despite Sharon's sickness to Sight n Sound theatre to see the play Jesus. This is the first overnight trip the 2 of us have taken together in 20 years (since Aien was born) -- other than a marriage retreat. Thank God for this time of building the most important relationship in my life other than God!